A GARDEN and landscaping product specialist is heading up a British Pride campaign that could see it becoming one of the biggest employers in Worcestershire.

Kidderminster-based M&M Timber's campaign highlights the company's predominance for using only British timber and British manufacturing skills to safeguard UK jobs.

Sales of M&M Timber garden products are predicted to almost double in the New Year, following the appointment of at least 30 new stockists during the company's all-British showing at this year's Garden & Leisure Exhibition (GLEE) at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre.

Sales director Ian Rickhuss confirmed that as a result of enquiries generated at the show, they had taken on board two of the nation's biggest garden centre groups.

He said: "Discussions are also taking place with other dealerships and all together this will mean a big increase in our production turnover."

The Clows Top company currently employs 71 staff and says it will need another ten production operatives in the New Year to raise its in-house manufacturing capacity.

Retail demand for M&M Timber's rustic garden products range has been brisk, accounting for more than £1.5m worth of orders in its first year.

In the Midlands alone, Wyvale Garden Centres report a combined retail sales record of almost £1m with the firm's products.

Founded 24 years ago, M & M Timber is one of Europe's largest manufacturers of machined round timber and a leading supplier of timber products for fencing, landscaping, garden furniture, playground surrounds and play area equipment

The firm is now hoping a new range for 2006 will increase its turnover as well as its workforce.

This includes a cottage arbour, gazebo and rose-walk in machined round timber, together with an extended trellis range that includes lattice and omega topped panels.

In-house designed rustic garden furniture, landscape edging, fencing panels and planters complete what the company hopes will be a winning line-up.